Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
House of Lords Podcast: Lord Speaker's Corner - Lord Forysth of Drumlean: Lord Speaker's Corner

Lord Forysth of Drumlean: Lord Speaker's Corner

House of Lords Podcast: Lord Speaker's Corner

12/15/23 • 35 min

plus icon
bookmark
Share icon

Hear from Lord Forsyth as he warns of a 'presidential' style of government that he believes has weakened Parliament’s role in scrutinising and improving laws.

'The House of Commons is failing in its function. It’s just abandoned its function of considering legislation properly.'

In this new episode of Lord Speaker's Corner, Lord Forsyth tells Lord McFall of Alcluith that he wants to see 'root and branch' reform to cut the use of time-limits on debates and prevent overuse of secondary legislation. He explains that the task of scrutiny now falls largely to the House of Lords, where members can examine proposed bills with greater rigour because there is no guillotine on debate and every proposed change is debated.

Michael Forysth, now Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, was first elected as an MP in 1983. He went on to serve as a minister under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, becoming Secretary of State for Scotland in 1995. He was the local MP at the time of the Dunblane Primary School shooting. Speaking about the tragedy, he explains 'It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. It was a huge shock. I still get flashbacks of that scene in the gym.'

In the House of Lords, Lord Forsyth has chaired the Economic Affairs Committee and served on committees investigating the Barnett Formula, House of Lords reform, soft power and the National Security Strategy. He shares why he thinks Lords committee reports are so important and the dangers of government not giving their recommendations due attention.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12/15/23 • 35 min

plus icon
bookmark
Share icon

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size
Open dropdown icon
share badge image

<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/house-of-lords-podcast-lord-speakers-corner-515042/lord-forysth-of-drumlean-lord-speakers-corner-67328143"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to lord forysth of drumlean: lord speaker's corner on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>

Copy